Machine for surfacing reeds



Nov. 5, 1935. F. CROSSMAN ET AL 2,020,049

MACHINE FOR SURFACING REEDS Filed Feb. 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 5, 1935.

F. CROSSMAN ET AL 2,020,049

MACHINE FOR SURFACING REEDS Filed Feb. 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fi \NW 30 walm 0.01m

Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR SURFACING REEDS tion of Ohio Application February 26, 1934, Serial No. 712,962

14 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for smoothing the teeth or dents in reeds that are used, for example, on looms for weaving wire fabrics. The reeds comprise relatively thin rectangular strips of metal, which are disposed in side by side relationship, and are spaced apart in accordance with the number of warp wires to the inch that are desired in the woven product. The reeds in turn are carried by the batten in such position that the warp wires are threaded between the dents. Asthe batten is moved forwardly, after the passage of a shute wire, the vertical edges of the dents drive the shute wire into the fabric.

As a general rule, the batten is swung forwardly twice to drive the shute wire into place, so it is extremely important that all of the edges lie in the same plane and. that they be free from burrs or other irregularities, for otherwise the weft wires would not be driven into the work properly.

Constant usage of a reed has a tendency to wear the striking edges and so it has been customary to smooth them or to dress them down with a hand-operated stone. A hand dressing operation has been performed by laying the reed upon a table, and then by moving the dressing block which is substantially rectangular in crosssection, across the striking face of the dents. Experience has shown however, that this method is'objectionable, for a workman unconsciously exerts a greater degree of pressure on the forward stroke, than on the rearward one, with the result that each dent is apt to have a burr along one edge. In addition, it is diificult to assure the application of the same pressure along the entire face of the reed, and so there are apt to be low spots, which are scarcely perceptible, but

- which result in a wavy appearance, which is easily noticeable in the finished product.

An object of our invention is to provide an apparatus for resurfacing the striking faces of a reed so as to obtain a surface, which is free from burrs, irregularities and low spots, and which is not dependent entirely upon the pressure of the hand against the dressing tool. In addition, our invention contemplates a device, which will produce a smooth plane surface with amaterial saving in time. I

Referring now to the drawings where we have shown a preferred form of our device, Fig. .1 is a side elevation of it; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of part of the apparatus in section taken on the 55 line 2--2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on an enlarged scale taken on the line 33 in Fig. 2, and Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are sections taken on the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 3.

A device, which we have made comprises a dressing tool I!) in the form of a block of abrasive 5 material that is rectangular in cross-section, as is shown in Fig. 4, and that is approximately 10 inches in length. The block is supported on a hand gripper, indicated in general at 11, that is connected to a power-driven reciprocating device. In Fig. l, the reciprocator is indicated in general at 12, as being pivotally suspended at l3 between arms M, which in turn are connected at 15 to a yoke [6, within which a motor I! is supported. A swivel bolt l8 suspends the yoke 15 from a carriage l9, that is movable along an overhead trackway 20. The trackway is longer than the reed and is disposed directly above it, so that the movement of the block by an operator along the reed automatically moves the car- 20 riage a proportional amount along the trackway.

The motor is connected to the reciprocator l2 preferably through a belt 2i, and a flexible cable 22. In Fig. 2, the driven end of the cable is shown as being journalled in a sleeve 23, and as 25 terminating in a head 24 that has an endless cam groove 25 therein. Another bearing sleeve 26 provides a journal for a plunger 21 that carries a pin 28. The pin rides in the cam groove, and thus translates rotary motion of the cable 30 into reciprocating motion of the plunger 21. Any form of reciprocator may be used in place of that illustrated and described, it being understood that the form, which we have shown is merely illustrative.

To connect the reciprocating plunger 2'! to the tool holder, and at the same time to permit universal movement of the holder with reference to the reciprocating unit I2, we utilize a wire 30, one end of which is rigidly connected to the plunger 2'! at 3|, and the other end of which is rigidly connected to the abrasive stone cap by a set screw 35, as is shown particularly in Fig. 5.

The wire which we utilized is relatively small and therefore, is easily bent. Accordingly, to provide the necessary degree of stiffness, and yet to provide sufiicient flexibility so as to obtain universal movement of the holder with reference to the reciprocator, we surround the wire with a plurality of coils of wire that are so related in size to each other that the wire may be reciprocated at a relatively high rate of speed without transmitting reciprocating motion to the holder.

In the preferred arrangement the connection comprises three coils, the inner of which is designated GI and is rigidly fastened at the tool end, as by solder to a gland 31. The opposite end is free to move within the casing 36. Surrounding the inside coil is an intermediate coil 38 that may be made of heavier wire than the inside coil and has sufficient clearance with reference to it, to permit the holder to be moved laterally and upwardly with reference to the casing 36. The outermost coil 39 surrounds the intermediate coil and is made of heavier wire than the intermediate coil and is rigidly fastened, as by solder, to a casing 36, and to the casing 44, respectively. The last named casing is carried by the tool holder, and is fastened thereto in any convenient manner, such as by securing members 45.

In assembly, the outermost coil is fastened to the casing 36 and 43 respectively, then the intermediate coil is passed therethrough, and thereafter the inside coil with its associated gland is inserted through the intermediate coil. As the gland is tightened, the intermediate coil is compressed, and the outside coil is extended. In practice, the amount of compression of the intermediate coil is so regulated, that the tool holder in effect, provides a continuation of the reciprocator casing 36 while the tool is being reciprocated, and thus the holder has substantial- 1y no vibration while the tool is reciprocating at normal speed. It is to be understood that as the outside coil is fastened to the casings 36 and 44, and as it is under tension, the amount of tension is determined by experiment until it is sufiicient to keep the tool handle steady while the stone is in motion.

We have found that the point of application of power to the tool has an important bearing on the actionof it during use, and that best results can be obtained if the reciprocating power is applied substantially on a line that is co-extensive with the center of gravity of the moving tool unit. This result is accomplished by fastening the tool end of the wire to the tool by a set screw 35, as previously stated that bears against the wire as it passes through an opening in a block 53. In Fig. 5 it will be seen that the axis of the wire lies in a vertical plane passing longitudinally through the midportion of the tool. If the force is applied in oil center position, there is a bending moment set up which tends to rock the tool with respect to the reciprocator casing. For best results, the point of application of the reciprocating force should be as close as possible to the tool. The arrangement, which we have shown has proved to be satisfactory to reduce the vibration to a minimum.

The weight of the mechanism that is suspended from the carriage is sufficient to hold the reciprocating unit [2 relatively stationary, so that it provides a reactionary member against which the wire 3 may operate to reciprocate the dressing tool and yet at the same time, there is enough rigidity resulting from the interfitting coils to move the carriage and its associated mechanism along the overhead trackway whenever the operator moves the tool along the reed. If necessary, the weight may be increased by using relatively thick parts for the arms M, as shown in Fig. 2. The arrangement therefore, produces a rapid reciprocation of the dressing tool while it is held in the operators hand, with the result that the operator can produce a satisfactory dressing of the dents, merely by moving the tool holder slowly along the reed. If desired, the operator may press lightly upon the holder.

The preferred construction of the tool holder comprises a pair of arms which are attached to and depend from the hand grip I I, and which are spaced apart a sufiicient distance to hold a pair of rollers 5| therebetween. Each roller has flanges between which a U-shaped cap 52 is free to move. The cap in turn carries the dressing stone and removably holds it in position by a block 53, which engages one end of it, as is shown in Fig. 3. At the opposite end, the cap may terminate in a block, which has a threaded opening to receive a set screw 54 that is adapted in turn to bear against the stone. The cap 52 extends the full length of the stone and provides a bearing surface against the rollers 5|, thus allowing reciprocation of the stone while the grip remains substantially stationary. The cap, and the associated stone are prevented from dropping out of the holder preferably by means of a strip 55, which is shown in Fig. 4 as being attached to the cap, and as being disposed Within the space between the arms 50, and as being held by strips 56 that are removably attached to the arms on the inner side thereof. For this purpose, we utilize screws 51 that are accessible from the outside of the holder, and that operate when removed to allow the stone with its associated cap to be removed from the holder.

In Fig. 3, we have shown an arm 60 that forms part of a controller that is connected in circuit with the motor, although the connecting cord is not shown in the drawings.

We have found that a surfacing tool made in accordance with our invention is extremely easy to handle and that it operates satisfactorily to smooth the contacting surfaces on the reed dents without deforming the edges. We have also found that there is a marked absence of low spots and that the dressing operation can be performed in a greatly reduced period of time over that required in a hand operation.

We claim:-

1. In combination, a trackway, a carriage depending therefrom and movable thereon, a support depending from the carriage, a motor on said support, a flexible cable, means for rotatably connecting the cable to the motor, and means associated with the support for translating rotation of the cable into reciprocating motion, an abrasive tool, a member connecting the tool with a reciprocating device and a flexible casing surrounding the member for enabling the tool to be moved universally with reference to the last mentioned means.

-2. In combination, a holder, an abrasive member mounted for reciprocation therein, a reciprocator, means for suspending the reciprocator above the work for horizontal floating movement, means for actuating the reciprocator, a casing for the reciprocator, a flexible connection between the holder and the casing, said connection comprising a coil of Wire that is fixed to the holder, and casing respectively, and a wire extending through the coil and connecting the abrasive member to the reciprocator, said wire being connected to the abrasive member below the plane of the top thereof.

3. In a tool of the character described, the combination with an abrasive member in the form of a strip having a plane abrasive surface, a cap attached to the strip, a holder having a. pair of rollers journalled therein and bearing against the cap, said cap having abutments at opposite ends thereof against which the abrasive member is held by friction, a wire extending from the cap and disposed within the confines of the planes, which define the top and bottom of the abrasive member, and mechanism suspended from an overhead. support for reciprocating the wire.

4. In a tool of the character described, the combination with an abrasive member in the form of a strip having a plane abrasive surface, a cap attached to the strip, a holder having a .pair of rollers journalled therein and bearing against the cap, means carried by the cap, and engaging shoulders on the holder for retaining the abrasive member within the holder while allowing reciprocation of it with reference to the holder, and a reciprocator comprising a member that extends longitudinally of the abrasive member and exerts pressure thereagainst between the planes, which define the top and bottom limits of the abrasive member.

5. A tool of the character described, comprising in combination a reciprocator, means for operating it, a casing for the reciprocator, a tool holder, an abrasive tool movably mounted therein, a flexible member providing an operating connection between the tool and the reciprocator, and a plurality of interfitting coils of wire surrounding the flexible member and attached to the holder, and easing respectively, and means for holding at least one of the coils under compression, and another under tension.

6. In a tool of the character described, a reciprocator, means for operating it, a tool holder and an abrasive tool movably mounted therein, a wire connecting the tool to the reciprocator and a series of interfitting coils surrounding the wire and disposed between the casing and holder and providing a connection therebetween, the

outermost coil being rigidly connected to the,

holder and to the casing, and means for holding the intermediate coil under compression and the outermost coil under tension, whereby the holder is held against substantial movement while the abrasive member is reciprocated with reference thereto.

'7. In a tool of the character described, a holder, an abrasive tool movably mounted therein, a reciprocator, a casing for the reciprocator, a wire providing an operative connection between the abrasive member and the reciprocator, three coils of wire enclosing said connecting wire and being disposed concentrically and in interfitting relationship, and positioned between the casing and holder, means for fixing one end of the innermost coil to the holder while the opposite end is free to move with reference to the casing, means for rigidly connecting the ends to the outermost coil to the holder and casing respectively, and means for compressing the intermediate coil and placing the outermost coil under tension, so as to maintain the holder substantially stationary while the tool is reciprocated therein.

8. An abrading apparatus comprising in combination, an abrasive tool and a holder therefor in which the tool is freely reciprocatingly movable in contact with the work, reciprocating means for the tool, and stabilizing reactance means including a relatively heavy mass freely movably suspended from above the same and flexibly connected with the holder for movement thereby, said reactance means supportinga portion of the reciprocating means in a manner to relieve the holder from substantially all reactance forces incident to reciprocating the tool in all working positions of the tool with reference to'the reactance means.

9. In a device of the class comprising an abrasive tool, a holder therefor and means for reciprocating the tool, a support for said means in the form of a relatively heavy mass, a free floating mounting for said support, a flexible driving connection between the said means and the tool, said driving connection including means to confine movement of the tool, laterally of its direction of reciprocation, within narrow limits, so that the reactions incident to reciprocating the tool are transmitted to said relatively heavy mass in all operating positions of the tool.

10. An abrading apparatus comprising in combination, an abrasive tool and a holder therefor embracing the tool for guiding it in contact with the work, a relatively heavy body and a free floating mounting therefor on which the body is supported for movement in a substantially horizontal direction, reciprocating means on the body, a flexible operating connection between said means and the tool to reciprocate the tool,

in various positions thereof relative to said body, and cooperating means to insure that the reactive forces incident to reciprocating the tool are transmitted to said heavy body in all such positions of the tool.

11. An abrading apparatus of the class described, comprising in combination, an abrasive tool, a holder therefor, and means for reciprocating the tool, said means including a body having a relatively heavy mass, an overhead free floating suspension for the body, and a reciprocating mechanism operatively connected with the tool and reacting against said body in a substantially horizontal direction in all operating positions of the tool, said holder having a universal movement connection with said body and a horizontally floating guiding connection with the tool.

12. An abrading apparatus comprising in com bination, an abrasive tool, a relatively heavy body depending from an overhead support and freely movable substantially horizontally, reciprocating means including a driving part in fixed position on said body, a coacting flexible driven part operatively connected with the tool, and guiding means for the driven part and tool arranged to at all times hold the driven part and tool is position relative to said body, such that substantially all the reactive forces incident to reciprocating the tool are imparted to the said relatively heavy body while permitting limited transverse movement of the tool with reference to the -body.

13. An abrading apparatus comprising in combination, an abrasive tool, a relatively heavy body depending from an overhead support and freely movable substantially horizontally, reciprocating means including a driving part in fixed position on said body, a flexible coacting driven part operatively connected with the tool, flexible guiding means for the driven part arranged to hold said part in position such that substantially the entire reactive forces incident to reciprocating the tool are transmitted to said body, and a holder for manually positioning the tool in which the tool reciprocates freely.

14. In combination, an abrasive member, a holder therefor, means for supporting the member in the holder for longitudinal movement with reference to the holder, an electric motor, a reciprocator, means for operatively connecting the motor to the reciprocator, a wire for connectcasing for-the reciprocator and a relatively short flexible connection between the casing and the holder, said connection comprising a coil of wire and yielding means fastened to both the reciprocator and the holder in a manner to maintain the individual turns of said coil compressed against each other, said connection, permitting substantially universal movement of the holder,

but confining said movement within narrow limits laterally of the axis of reciprocation of the reciprocator, thereby operating to retain the holder substantially stationary while the member is being reciprocated therein.

FRED CROSSMAN. WALTER C. SUTTON. 

